vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvī-tə-mən 

British usually

ˈvi- 

: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body

Examples of vitamin in a Sentence

This cereal contains essential vitamins and minerals.

Did you remember to take your vitamin?

Recent Examples on the Web

None of the sleep aids on this list have the common medications found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines (more on that below), and many on this list contain supplements like vitamins and melatonin. —Molly Higgins, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024

Fresh fruits and veggies are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals essential for overall health. —Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

What also springs to mind are the health benefits of these natural foods for vitamins and minerals that may be missing from contemporary fruit varieties. —Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024

She’s also done a number of ads for vitamin and supplement brands and beauty companies, some of which she’s parlayed into free products for the entire team. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of vitamine, from Latin vita life + English amine

First Known Use

circa 1912, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vitamin

• B vitamin
• vitamin A
• vitamin B6
• vitamin B complex
• vitamin C
• vitamin D3
• vitamin E
• vitamin H
• vitamin K3

Kids Definition

vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən 

: any of various substances that are necessary in very small amounts to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, that are important to the control of growth and development by activating and assisting in the function of enzymes, and that are present naturally in many foods or in some cases are produced within the body

Medical Definition

vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən, British also ˈvit- 

: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or are sometimes produced within the body